2 Samuel 17:15
New International Version
Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so.

New Living Translation
Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, what Ahithophel had said to Absalom and the elders of Israel and what he himself had advised instead.

English Standard Version
Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled.

Berean Standard Bible
So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.

King James Bible
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

New King James Version
Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised.

New American Standard Bible
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do, and this is what I have advised.

NASB 1995
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “This is what Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have counseled.

NASB 1977
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “This is what Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have counseled.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “This is what Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have counseled.

Amplified Bible
Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “This is the advice that Ahithophel gave to Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is the advice that I have given.

Christian Standard Bible
Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I advised.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I advised.

American Standard Version
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

Contemporary English Version
At once, Hushai went to Zadok and Abiathar. He told them what advice Ahithophel had given to Absalom and to the leaders of Israel. He also told them about the advice he had given.

English Revised Version
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests. Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, "Ahithophel advised Absalom and the leaders of Israel to do one thing, but I advised them to do something else.

Good News Translation
Then Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar what advice he had given to Absalom and the Israelite leaders and what advice Ahithophel had given.

International Standard Version
So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, what Ahithophel had suggested to Absalom and the elders of Israel. He also reported what he himself had proposed. Hushai said,

Majority Standard Bible
So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, ?This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.

NET Bible
Then Hushai reported to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, "Here is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the leaders of Israel to do, and here is what I have advised.

New Heart English Bible
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Here is the council Ahithophel gave Absalom and the elders of Israel, and here is what I counseled.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Hushai to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counseled.

World English Bible
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Hushai says to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Thus and thus Ahithophel has counseled Absalom and the elderly of Israel, and thus and thus I have counseled;

Young's Literal Translation
And Hushai saith unto Zadok and unto Abiathar the priests, 'Thus and thus hath Ahithophel counselled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and thus I have counselled;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Hushai will say to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, According to this, and according to this, Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the old men of Israel; and according to this and according to this, I counseled.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Chusai said to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests: Thus and thus did Achitophel counsel Absalom, and the ancients of Israel: and thus and thus did I counsel them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Hushai said to the priests, Zadok and Abiathar: “Ahithophel gave counsel to Absalom and to the elders of Israel in this and that manner. And I gave counsel in such and such a manner.

New American Bible
Then Hushai said to the priests Zadok and Abiathar: “This is the counsel Ahithophel gave Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I counseled.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Hushai said to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and so I have counseled.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and all the men of Israel; and thus and thus have I counseled.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Khushi said to Tsadoq and to Abiathar the Priests: “Thus and so Akhithuphel gave counsel to Abishlum and to all Israel, and thus and so I have counseled
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests: 'Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Chusi the Arachite said to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus Achitophel counselled Abessalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hushai's Warning Saves David
15So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised. 16Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’ ”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 15:31-34
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” / When David came to the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. / David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. ...

2 Samuel 16:15-19
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. / And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” / “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” ...

1 Kings 1:11-14
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ...

1 Kings 2:26-27
Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” / So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.

1 Chronicles 27:33-34
Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. / Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Isaiah 8:10
Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 26:3-4
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, / and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

Mark 14:1
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

Luke 22:2-4
and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people. / Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them.

John 11:47-53
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...

Acts 4:25-28
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ / In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Hushai to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counceled.

Zadok

2 Samuel 15:35
And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

Jump to Previous
Abiathar Abi'athar Absalom Ab'salom Advised Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Counsel Counseled Counselled Elders Hushai Israel Priests Responsible Suggestion Way Zadok
Jump to Next
Abiathar Abi'athar Absalom Ab'salom Advised Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Counsel Counseled Counselled Elders Hushai Israel Priests Responsible Suggestion Way Zadok
2 Samuel 17
1. Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15. Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23. Ahithophel hangs himself
25. Amasa is made captain
27. David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions














So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests
Hushai the Archite was a loyal friend and advisor to King David. In the context of Absalom's rebellion, Hushai was sent back to Jerusalem by David to act as a spy and counter the counsel of Ahithophel, Absalom's advisor. Zadok and Abiathar were the high priests during David's reign, and their involvement highlights the intertwining of religious and political roles in ancient Israel. Their presence signifies the importance of divine guidance and support in the political affairs of the kingdom.

“This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel
Ahithophel was known for his wise counsel, and his advice was highly regarded, almost as if one were consulting the word of God. His support for Absalom was a significant blow to David, as Ahithophel's counsel was often seen as infallible. The elders of Israel, representing the tribal leaders and influential figures, were crucial in legitimizing Absalom's claim to the throne. This phrase underscores the gravity of the situation David faced, as Absalom had the backing of both a trusted advisor and the nation's leaders.

and this is what I have advised.
Hushai's role was to provide alternative counsel to Absalom, thereby creating confusion and buying time for David. His advice was designed to appeal to Absalom's vanity and ambition, contrasting with Ahithophel's more direct and strategic approach. This phrase highlights the theme of divine providence, as God used Hushai's counsel to thwart Ahithophel's plans, ultimately preserving David's kingship. It also reflects the biblical motif of God using seemingly weak or unlikely individuals to achieve His purposes, a theme seen throughout scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hushai
A loyal friend and advisor to King David, who acts as a spy to thwart the counsel of Ahithophel and protect David.

2. Zadok and Abiathar
Priests who remain loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion, serving as messengers and intermediaries.

3. Ahithophel
A former counselor to David who defects to Absalom, known for his wise but ultimately flawed counsel.

4. Absalom
David's son who rebels against his father, seeking to usurp the throne of Israel.

5. The Elders of Israel
Leaders who are swayed by the counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai during Absalom's rebellion.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans
Despite human wisdom and planning, God's purposes will ultimately prevail. Hushai's successful counter-counsel demonstrates God's hand in guiding events according to His will.

The Role of Loyalty and Faithfulness
Hushai's loyalty to David and his willingness to risk his life for the king's safety exemplify the importance of faithfulness to God's anointed leaders.

Discernment in Leadership
The contrasting advice of Ahithophel and Hushai underscores the need for discernment in leadership, seeking God's wisdom over human counsel.

The Power of Prayer and Intercession
David's prayer for Ahithophel's counsel to be turned to foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31) is answered through Hushai, highlighting the power of prayer in influencing outcomes.

The Importance of Godly Alliances
The collaboration between Hushai, Zadok, and Abiathar shows the strength found in godly alliances and partnerships in fulfilling God's purposes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Hushai
חוּשַׁ֗י (ḥū·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2365: Hushai -- two Israelites

told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Zadok
צָד֤וֹק (ṣā·ḏō·wq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6659: Zadok -- the name of several Israelites

and Abiathar,
אֶבְיָתָר֙ (’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

the priests,
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

“This is what
כָּזֹ֣את (kā·zōṯ)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

Ahithophel
אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙ (’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 302: Ahithophel -- an adviser of David

has advised
יָעַ֤ץ (yā·‘aṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

Absalom
אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם (’aḇ·šā·lōm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

and the elders
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and this is what
וְכָזֹ֥את (wə·ḵā·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

I
אָֽנִי׃ (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

have advised.
יָעַ֥צְתִּי (yā·‘aṣ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve


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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:15 Then Hushai said to Zadok (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 17:14
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